Don't you feel like long trips and meandering on buses? Are taxis too expensive? Want freedom of movement? No problem! You can always rent a car / motorcycle in Thailand. Most travelers prefer to reach the sites themselves by buses / Flights, and when you arrive at the site where you stay for a few days / weeks / months - rent a car there, or usually a motorcycle.
First of all, there are some important things to know:
- In Thailand you drive on the left side of the road.
- In most places you don't need a motorcycle license in order to rent one, which means that many on the road don't know how to ride a motorcycle at all, so you have to be very careful.
- A major cause of injury and death among tourists in Thailand is motorcycle accidents. Drive slowly and carefully and always wear a helmet, even if it makes you look "nerd". It's a life saver.
- The road rules in Thailand, as in many places in the East, are a recommendation for the locals, which means that many people cut in the road, go through red lights and drive far above the speed limit. Drive according to the rules, even though others don't follow them, because if a policeman catches you, the "I'm a tourist and I didn't know" excuse won't work, and also be very alert while driving.
Bangkok It is a densely populated city, and as a result there are a lot of traffic jams and congestion on the road. Because most The favorite tourist sites are many hours away from Bangkok, it is recommended to rely on public transportation or flights in this area in order to reach the places you want to see within Bangkok, or to reach the islands / north of the country. In addition, the roads in Thailand are built in a very confusing way, and it is easy to get lost especially on long trips. Not everywhere has reception for GPS or phone if God forbid you get stuck and need help. Take this into account and be alert at all times along the way.
And after you have already arrived in the islands / Northern Thailand and you want to see the area on your own terms - this is the perfect time to rent a car / motorbike.
Car rental in Thailand
you are family? Many friends together? There is no doubt that it is better to rent a car. Most rental cars come with an automatic transmission. You can rent a car with an international license (if you don't have one, most companies will only accept an Israeli license, but keep in mind that there may be companies that insist on an international license, so it's better to get one before the trip).
The daily cost of a rental car is on average 1,100 baht. Prices vary, of course, depending on the size of the vehicle you choose, the duration of the rental and the season (if you are in the tourist season, it is very likely that the prices will increase). Keep in mind that this is only the initial cost, and to it must be added costs such as insurance (don't give up in any way!) and additions to the car (baby seat / GPS, etc.).
You can rent the car in advance from Israel (highly recommended) on the websites of most companies, including: Hertz, Budget, National, Sixt, Avis, Bizcar, Europcar, Keddy. The largest selection of rental cars will be at the airports, but throughout the city/island there are many branches of the rental companies, and it is not necessary to go to the airport specifically in order to rent a car or return it. If you are not interested in renting a car in advance, you can go directly to one of the agencies and ask about prices and conditions. The advantage of a face-to-face meeting is that sometimes you can bargain or get good deals that you can't find online.
Advantages:
1. Freedom of movement.
2. Option to travel all together without splitting up.
3. Safer (much) more than a motorcycle.
4. You will have a place to store the bags.
Cons:
1. Heavy traffic jams in many places.
2. Relatively expensive for a motorcycle.
Another little tip - if this is your first time renting a car, know that any small damage to the car (including small scratches) will charge you. That's why it's important before you take the car to go over every corner (literally every corner) of it with the representative from the company and make sure that he documents the existing, and also take pictures yourself of any small damage that already exists in the car before you start driving it.
Motorcycle rental in Thailand
If you travel alone, or with friends, and love your independent freedom of movement - this motorcycle is for you. This is the preferred way for most tourists to move around in Thailand, because there is nothing like having your hair in the wind in order to feel true freedom.
The cost to rent a motorcycle in Thailand is on average about 200 baht per day. The price of course varies depending on the size of the motorcycle you will take, the duration of the rental and the season. In order to To rent a motorcycle in Thailand, as already stated above, you do not need a motorcycle driving license. Sometimes they will ask you for a license, usually in cases where you rent a 500 cc motorcycle.And the motorcycles that tourists rent are basically 50 cc or 125 cc sofas.
There are many rental companies in all the tourist sites in Thailand that rent motorbikes. There are actually about the same number of motorcycle rental agencies as there are convenience stores, so even if you really wanted to you couldn't miss them. You can also rent a motorcycle in advance online, but most tourists prefer to simply go to one of the agencies in the area they are in and rent on the spot. It is also better because then you can see with your own eyes what exactly you are taking and maybe also haggle a little on the price. The prices are almost exactly the same in all companies, and also the types of motorcycles, so there is not much point in comparing one to the other.
The procedure for renting the motorcycle is quite simple - you go to the store, ask the seller for the desired size, pay him (in cash, the places that accept credit are rare), leave your passport / social security number as a guarantee until the day you return the motorcycle, get a helmet and set off.
If this is your first time riding a motorcycle - practice first on straight roads and remember that sand is very slippery so be alert and ride extra carefully. PAccording to the law in Thailand it is mandatory to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Most tourists don't follow this, but that doesn't mean it's okay. In case you are caught, you will likely receive a fine of at least 700 baht. Beyond the fine and the law - a helmet saves lives, certainly in a place where the driving culture is problematic. It's a shame to take unnecessary risks, just wear a helmet.
You can also find motorbikes with 3 wheels but they are rarer and more expensive (around 350 baht per day).
Advantages:
1. The sense of adventure and real freedom.
2. Don't get stuck in traffic jams.
3. Cheaper (much) than renting a car.
Cons:
1. Less safe because of the driving culture in Thailand.
2. Not pleasant at all on rainy days.
3. If you have damaged the motorcycle (except for those caused by wear and tear of the motorcycle itself) do not expect insurance from the seller, or help from him in the repair. This will be done at your own risk and expense. Few companies (if any) will also provide full insurance for damage to the motorcycle.
Another little tip - Here too, as with renting a car, it is very important to check the condition of the motorcycle before taking it from the dealership, go around it and check that everything is in order and there is not even the slightest scratch on it, because if you do not check this and you will return the motorcycle with bumps / scratches (even those that were there before ), you will be charged for it.
Another tip - In addition to the helmet, it is recommended to drive with an eye shield (sunglasses will suffice), because flies / mosquitoes / various bugs that get into the eyes while riding is a very common and unpleasant problem.
If a car / motorcycle is a bit big for you - you can always rent a bicycle / electric bicycle. It's common, easy, convenient and while you won't get too far with them, it's definitely a nice way to see places.
Toll roads in Thailand
Toll roads in Thailand exist mainly in the Bangkok area, so if your destination is the islands / the north of the country you won't really encounter them. Nevertheless, it is important to know about their existence If you chose to rent a car in and out of the Bangkok area, you are likely to come across highways with tolls. Payment of the toll is in cash, at a small booth at the beginning of the toll road. Prices range from 25 to 45 baht.
fuel
The average price per liter of fuel is 34 baht (but can change at any time!!). There are many gas stations scattered everywhere, so unless you are going on a long trip in very remote places, there is really no need to take a spare gas tank with you because you will likely find quite a few stations along the way.
When renting a car or motorcycle, it is customary to receive it with a full tank of fuel and return it with a full tank of fuel.
If you are still close to the bottom, in many places you can also find small restaurants or shops that sell fuel in small glass bottles, from which you can fill the tank with "first aid" and immediately return the bottle to them. Most of the time their prices are cheaper than gas stations (this is only effective for motorcycles, in terms of quantity. Vehicles will need a bit more than that but it can still help to go a few kilometers).
Safe driving!
